Sunday, September 25, 2011

Here is a little collage I did, showing the stages of the monarch. I was able to rear 26 monarchs from the eggs stage and 5 from caterpillars that I found! I tagged 25 of them for their trip to Mexico. I have 3 that I am trying to keep alive indoors that have bad wings. Two of those were from ones I reared and one I found trying to fly around in my yard. Both of it's wings are crinkled up. I have been feeding them a mix of honey/water on a sponge, applesauce, fresh pineapple, watermelon, and fresh lantanas! They definitely won't starve to death! I'm not sure how long that will survive, but I'm willing to find out.

On a recent trip to Kentucky, for my nephew wedding, we visited my niece's grave and released 3 monarchs. We also left a chrysalis, that was about to hatch, on a nearby shrub. She was buried on a beautiful hilltop on her grandfather's farm. She was killed in a car accident six years ago ~ she was only 20 years old. It was really special being able to release the butterflies there. I know it meant a lot to my sister and brother-in-law.

Three of my four releases yesterday! I love it when they hang around for awhile!

The last of my 25 tags. I guess I'd better order more next year so I don't run out!

This is one with an injured wing, he also has a bad leg. He seems to like the honey/water mix in the sponge ~ you can see his proboscis sticking in the sponge!

I found 4 full grown caterpillars in my garden when I returned from my trip to Kentucky!

They have already formed their chrysalis'!

The way you can tell if a monarch is male or female is to look for the black spots on the hind wings.

The males have them ~

and the females don't. The dots emit a chemical that is used during courtship.

This was a great day! I had six hatch that day!

My cat even gets in on the fun ~ luckily she doesn't try to get them, although I put them where she can't get to them when I'm not home.

This alas ~ is that last photo of a hummingbird for this year. I haven't seen them all weekend, so I'm guessing they'll headed south for the winter. Bon voyage... and please come back in the spring!

Save the Monarchs ~

About Me

I am passionate about gardening and enjoying nature. I have a special interest in monarch butterflies and actually have a certified monarch habitat in my garden. I enjoy photographing flowers, butterflies,rearing Monarchs, Spicebush Swallowtails, and Black Swallowtails, hummingbirds, and other creature in my gardens.